A Mother’s Day Reflection: Love, Memory & Gratitude

Dear Mom,

I wish I had another story to tell, but this is our story. You have lived with dementia for the last seven years. You are finally a grandmother—something you always dreamed of—and I’m not even sure you know it. You were always so affectionate, and even now, you still kiss the phone when we FaceTime. I love you, and I appreciate everything you did for me and our family.

Time goes by so quickly. One moment you were giving me a bath, and the next, I was moving you into a memory care unit. Looking back at our life together, I now see just how much you gave of yourself. You gave and gave and gave—never stopping long enough to soak in the beauty of the life you helped create.

Honoring Our Mothers on Mother’s Day

So on this Mother’s Day, let’s all pause and soak it all in. Let’s remember the tender, imperfect, meaningful moments with our moms. And if you are fortunate enough to sit with your mother today—or even just call her—take a moment to notice all the subtle things she did for you. All the sacrifices, the quiet labor, the unconditional love that ensured you had what you needed.

I love you, Mom.
And if you are a mom reading this, I love you too—because you are the shining light of this world.

With Love,
Matthew